Balloon display structure

ABSTRACT

A balloon display structure and method of use. The display structure includes a base member and an upstanding member with the upstanding member having a plurality of sides with elongate apertures therein. The elongate apertures are arranged to receive sticks bearing air-filled balloons.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to decorating supplies, and moreparticularly to a free-standing display to support and arrange balloons.The use of balloons, particularly helium-filled balloons, has long beenpopular for the purpose of party decoration, or other celebratoryoccasions. Currently, the cost of helium has risen, due in part to anincreased demand in certain manufacturing segments. This has caused ashortage in available affordable helium for use in balloons. Theconsumer of helium-filled balloons may wish for a more cost effectivealternative to the helium-filled balloon. One such solution involves theartful display of non-helium filled balloons. A non-helium-filledballoon may be held upright by a stick or other rigid member to simulatethe upright condition of helium-filled balloons. Since air-filledballoons on sticks do not self arrange themselves or hold themselveserect in the manner of helium-filled balloons, greater care by the userto create a pleasing display is necessary. For example, a displaystructure and method of using such a structure may be used to gather andarrange non-helium-filled balloons in an agreeable manner to mimic theeffect of helium-filled balloons, yet avoid the cost and scarcity ofhelium. Such a structure may be used in many settings and in manydisplay concepts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a balloon display structure andmethod of use. The present invention may also be considered to be adisplay structure blank and a method of making a display structure madetherefrom. In particular, the display structure is for use in arrangingand supporting non-helium-filled balloons, although helium-filledballoons may also be used, if desired. The display structure includes abase member and an upstanding member. As constructed, the upstandingmember includes a plurality of sides having elongate apertures therein.The elongate apertures are arranged to receive air-filled balloons,particularly those supported on sticks. The upstanding member may be ofvarious shapes and sizes, but is preferably an elongate structure of apredetermined length. The upstanding member may further include a bracemember to retain the upstanding member in a non-collapsed condition. Abase member for the present display structure includes a top surfacehaving a base hole sized and shaped to receive an end of the upstandingmember to thereby support the upstanding member in display condition.

The base member may be of any practical shape, and may preferablyinclude an internal raised shelf member to impart rigidity and stabilityto the base. The raised shelf member further includes a shelf hole sizedand shaped to receive an end of the upstanding member when theupstanding member is also received in the base hole. Further, the raisedshelf member may be used to support various weights as may be employedby the user, when warranted, to minimize tip over of the displaystructure.

The display structure may be packaged in a collapsed condition andconstructed on site by the user. When in the collapsed condition, thedisplay structure includes an upstanding member blank and a base memberblank made from rigid cardstock or cardboard. The upstanding memberblank includes a first end and a second end with a plurality of elongatesegments perpendicular to the ends. First, second, third and fourth foldlines are parallel to the elongate segments and define first, second,third, fourth and fifth segments. The first segment includes laterallyextending tab members which are arranged for engagement in slots in thefourth segment. The blank may also include a lateral fold line on oneend of a selected segment the fold line defines a brace member.Elongated apertures may be provided on one or more of the segments. Theupstanding member blank is convertible to an upstanding member byfolding the blank along the parallel fold lines and inserting the tabmembers into each respective slot.

The base member blank includes a plurality of segments having foldlines, with at least two segments each having a hole sized andconfigured to receive an end of a constructed upstanding member. Thebase member blank is convertible to a base member by folding the basemember blank along the fold lines and aligning the holes.

A method of using the display structure includes the steps of:

constructing a base member having a top surface, the top surface havinghole therein; constructing an upstanding member, the upstanding memberhaving a plurality of sides, a first end and a second end, and whereinat least one of the plurality of sides includes at least one elongateaperture therein; inserting the first end of the upstanding member intothe hole on the base member; providing at least one filled balloonmounted on a stick; and inserting the stick in the at least one elongateaperture. The method may further include the steps of providing the basemember with a raised shelf member having a shelf hole sized and shapedto receive an end of the upstanding member and resting a weight memberon the raised shelf member. Further steps include providing the secondend of the upstanding member with at least one opening, providing ahelium filled balloon on a string, inserting the string in the opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention in use andsupporting balloons.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the display structure illustrated in FIG.1 and showing its component parts.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1, but without balloons inplace.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the component blanks of the displaystructure in condition for shipping.

FIG. 4B is a plan view of the component blanks of the display structureprior to assembly.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the upstanding member blank prior toassembly.

FIGS. 5B and 5C are views illustrating assembly of the upstanding memberblank illustrated in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5D is a fragmentary view of an end of the upstanding memberillustrated in FIGS. 5A-5E, and showing a stability brace in place.

FIG. 5E is an end view of the component illustrated in FIG. 5A-5C inassembled condition.

FIG. 5F is a fragmentary view of an end of the upstanding memberillustrated in FIGS. 5A-5E and showing movement of aperture covers tothereby open the apertures.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the base member blank prior toassembly.

FIG. 6B is a view illustrating construction of the base member blankillustrated in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6C is a perspective view of the base member illustrated in FIGS. 6Aand 6B in assembled condition with phantom lines showing the internalraised shelf member and use of weights.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating final assembly of displaystructure and showing an end of the upstanding member being insertedinto the base member.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to that of FIG. 7, but showing air-filledballoons on sticks being inserted into elongate apertures on theupstanding member and helium-filled balloons into the openings.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 3, but showing anupstanding member severed along a circumferential perforation and havinga reduced height.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 3, but showing analternative base member.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable thoseskilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodimentsherein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied inother specific structures. While the preferred embodiment has beendescribed, the details may be changed without departing from theinvention, which is defined by the claims.

The present invention provides a balloon display structure and method ofuse. In particular, the display structure is for use in arranging andsupporting non-helium-filled balloons. With attention to FIGS. 1-3, adisplay structure 10 according to the present invention may be seen. Asshown, the display structure 10 preferably includes an upstanding member12 and a base member 14 adapted to receive and support the upstandingmember 12. The upstanding member 12 includes plurality of sides 16A,16B, 16C, 16D with at least one of the sides 16A, 16B, 16C, 16D havingat least one elongate aperture 18 therein. Apertures 18 for use with thepresent invention may be of any suitable size and shape, but are shownas preferably of a generally elongated rectangular shape to receive astick 20 holding an air-filled balloon 22. The elongate shape of theapertures 18 provides optimal flexibility for the user (not shown) toarrange the balloons 22 in a tasteful manner. Moreover, the upstandingmember 12 may be of various shapes and sizes, but is preferably anelongate structure of a predetermined length and having a first end 24and a second end 26. The second end 26 may include at least one stringopening 56. The string opening 56 allows the user to attach otherdecorative elements to the display structure 10, such as the heliumfilled balloons 122 on a string 58 shown in FIGS. 1 and 8. The first end24 may include a brace member 27 (see FIG. 5D) to retain the upstandingmember 12 in a non-collapsed condition, as will be discussed.

With particular attention to FIG. 2, the base member 14 may be seen toinclude a top surface 28 having a base hole 30 sized and shaped toreceive an end 24, 26 of the upstanding member 12 to thereby support theupstanding member 12 in display condition. The base member 14 may be ofany practical shape, such as the generally cube structure seen in thedrawings, but it is within the scope of the invention for the basemember 14 to be of various practical shapes and sizes, such as thedrum-like base 14A shown in FIG. 10, by way of non-limiting example.Moreover, the base member 14 may further include an internal raisedshelf member 32, such as that illustrated in FIG. 6C. The raised shelfmember 32 imparts rigidity and stability to the base member 14 andfurther includes a shelf hole 34 sized and shaped to receive an end 24,26 of the upstanding member 12. The shelf hole 34 is preferablypositioned to be in axial alignment with the base hole 30, such thatwhen an end 24, 26 of the upstanding member 12 is inserted in the basehole 30 it may be concurrently inserted into the shelf hole 34. Thisarrangement provides stability to the upstanding member 12 duringdisplay. Further, the raised shelf member 32 may be used to supportvarious weights 36 (see FIG. 6C), if desired by the user, to increasestability and reduce tip-over of the display structure 10 in use. Theupstanding member 12 may also include at least one circumferentialperforation line 38. The circumferential perforation line 38 allows theuser to separate the upstanding member 12 along the perforation line 38such that the user may vary the display 10 height. FIG. 9 illustrates anupstanding member 12A wherein a user has separated the upstanding member12 along the circumferential perforation line 38 with a lower portion12A remaining. The display 10A shown in FIG. 9 is of a lesser lengththan that shown in FIGS. 1-3.

With attention now to FIGS. 4A-7, steps to construct a display structure10 according to the present invention may be seen. FIG. 4A illustratesthe display structure 10 as packaged and folded in collapsed conditionas a display structure blank 100 ready to be constructed on site by theuser (not shown). FIG. 4B shows the display structure blank 100 inunfolded condition and having an upstanding member blank 120 and a basemember blank 140. The blanks 120, 140 may be made of any suitably rigidbut foldable material that is easily die-cut to form the blanks 120,140, such as rigid cardstock, cardboard or the like. As is seen in FIGS.5A-5F, the upstanding member blank 120 includes a first end 24 and asecond end 26 with a plurality of elongate segments A, B, C, D, Eperpendicular thereto. First, second, third and fourth fold lines 40 areparallel to the elongate segments A, B, C, D, E and define the first,second, third, fourth and fifth segments, A, B, C, D, E, respectively.The first segment A includes laterally extending tab members 42 whichare arranged for engagement in slots 44 in the fourth segment D. Asshown, the upstanding member blank 120 also includes a lateral fold line46 on one end 24, 26 of a selected segment A, B, C, D, E, and shown onthe first end 24 of segment C in these views. The lateral fold line 46defines the aforementioned brace member 27 to retain the assembledupstanding member 12 in a non-collapsed condition, as will be discussedwith reference to FIG. 5D. The upstanding member blank 120 isconvertible to an upstanding member 12 by folding the upstanding memberblank 120 along the parallel fold lines 40, as is shown in FIG. 5B, andinserting the tab members 42 into each respective slot 44 (see FIG. 5C).

After the upstanding member 12 is formed, and as seen in FIG. 5D, thebrace member 27 is moved along the lateral fold line 46 in the directionof arrow T and into the cavity 48 of the upstanding member 12. Whenpositioned in the cavity 48, the brace member 27 assists in keeping theupstanding member 12 in constructed condition and to withstand collapse.As mentioned, elongate apertures 18 are provided on one or more of thesegments A, B, C, D, E such that when constructed, the elongateapertures 18 are positioned about the upstanding member 12 in the sides16A, 16B, 16C, 16D. FIG. 5F illustrates an enlarged fragmentary view ofthe second end 26 of the upstanding member 12. As shown, the elongateapertures 18 may each be provided with a moveable tab member 50. The tabmember 50 is moveable in the direction of arrow V when access to theelongate apertures 18 is desired. The tab members 50 cover the elongateapertures 18 during shipment and whenever access to the elongateapertures 18 is not required. The tab members 50 provide a covering overunused elongate apertures 18 so that there are no unsightly openelongate apertures 18 during display. Such an arrangement may be desiredwhen for example, a user desires a top-heavy display to allow sightlinesunder the display. In such instances, elongate apertures 18 positionedlower on the upstanding member 12 may remain unopened and with the tabmembers 50 in place for a more attractive look. As is further seen inFIG. 5F, each tab 50 may be punched inward in the direction of arrow Vwhile also remaining attached to the respective elongate aperture 18.The inward opened tabs 50 also add friction for the balloon sticks 20when inserted, to thereby aid in their position and security.

FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate the base member blank 140 and its assembly. Asshown in FIG. 6A, the base member blank 140 includes a plurality ofsegments 52 having fold lines 54, with at least two segments 52 eachhaving a hole 30, 34 sized and configured to receive an end 24, 26 of aconstructed upstanding member 12. The base member blank 140 isconvertible to a base member 14 by folding the base member blank 140along the fold lines 54 and aligning the holes 30, 34 (see FIG. 6B).

The present invention also provides a method of using the displaystructure 10 described herein. The method includes the steps of:

constructing a base member 14 as shown in FIGS. 6A-6C wherein the basemember 14 includes a top surface 28 having base hole 30 therein;

constructing an upstanding member 12 as shown in FIGS. 5A-5F, theupstanding member 12 having a plurality of sides 16A, 16B, 16C, 16D, afirst end 24 and a second end 26, and wherein at least one of theplurality of sides 16A, 16B, 16C, 16D includes at least one elongateaperture 18 therein;

inserting the first end 24 of the upstanding member 12 into the basehole 30 of the base member 14, as seen in FIG. 7;

providing at least one air-filled balloon 22 mounted on a stick 20; and

inserting the stick 20 in the at least one elongate aperture 18, as seenin FIG. 8.

The method may further include the steps of providing the base member 14with an internal raised shelf member 32 having a shelf hole 34 sized andshaped to receive an end 24, 26 of the upstanding member 12. A furtherstep includes resting a weight member 36 on the raised shelf member 32.Further steps include providing the second end 26 of the upstandingmember 12 with at least one string opening 56, providing a helium-filledballoon 122 on a string 58, inserting the string 58 in the stringopening 56, as shown in FIG. 8.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changeswill readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired tolimit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed. While the preferred embodiment has been described, thedetails may be changed without departing from the invention, which isdefined by the claims.

I/We claim:
 1. A display structure including: an upstanding member, saidupstanding member having a plurality of sides, a first end and a secondend, at least one of said plurality of sides including at least oneelongate aperture therein; a base member, said base member having a topsurface having a base hole therein, said base hole being sized andshaped to receive said first end of said upstanding member; and whereinsaid upstanding member includes a perforation line.
 2. The displaystructure of claim 1 wherein said first end of said upstanding memberfurther includes a brace member.
 3. The display structure of claim 2wherein said base member further includes a raised shelf member having ashelf hole sized and shaped to receive said first end of said upstandingmember.
 4. (canceled)
 5. The display structure of claim 2 wherein atleast one of said elongate apertures includes a moveable tab member. 6.A method of using a balloon display structure including the steps of:providing a base member, said base member having a top surface includingbase hole therein; providing an upstanding member, the upstanding memberhaving a plurality of sides, a first end, a second end, and at least oneelongate aperture in at least one of said plurality of sides; insertingsaid first end of said upstanding member into said base hole; providingat least one filled balloon, said balloon mounted on a stick; andinserting said stick into said at least one elongate aperture.
 7. Themethod of claim 6 including the further step of providing said basemember with a raised shelf member, said raised shelf member having ashelf hole therein arranged to receive said first end of said upstandingmember.
 8. The method of claim 7 including the further steps ofproviding a weight member and resting said weight member on said raisedshelf member.
 9. The method of claim 8 including the further steps ofproviding said second end of said upstanding member with at least onestring opening; providing a filled balloon on a string; and insertingsaid string in said string opening.